2009

IRI WELCOMES NEWLY-ELECTED AND RETURNING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

Group Urges Bipartisan Cooperation to Advance Retirement Security for All Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) released the following statement from IRI President and CEO Cathy Weatherford reflecting on yesterday’s midterm election and urging policymakers to support bipartisan solutions to enhance retirement security in the United States.

“IRI congratulates our fellow citizens who were elected yesterday to federal, state and local offices to represent the American people and address serious issues facing our nation. For our newly-elected and returning U.S. Senators and Members of Congress, we urge you to put the campaign behind you and look ahead to find common ground that advances the interests of our nation and its citizens.

Retirement security is a well-documented, major concern for many Americans. Declining access to traditional pension plans means that today’s workers are more responsible for their own retirement financial security. And increasing lifespans means more years in retirement requiring secure, guaranteed income.

IRI has put forth a retirement security agenda that identifies bipartisan policy solutions to help Americans reach a financially secure and dignified retirement. This includes policies to help make retirement plans more widely available, encourage saving, and increase access to retirement planning advice and lifetime income strategies.

In its last weeks, the current Congress can achieve a major accomplishment by passing bipartisan retirement legislation that has been debated and remains under consideration in the House and Senate. Such an effort would signal to the American people that our elected leaders want to advance issues that unite rather than argue over issues that divide. It would set a strong example for the next Congress to strive for and to achieve bipartisan progress for all Americans.

We urge all policymakers to support these initiatives, and we look forward to working with our nation’s leaders to help enhance retirement security in the United States.”